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| Elf, Interrupted: Book One: Glorfindel Redux by Fiondil | 7 Review(s) |
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| hawkeye | Reviewed Chapter: 18 on 9/26/2014 |
| Yay! I feel like we're finally getting somewhere with Amarië. I impressed that she apologised to Sador for being so mean. Whatever people might say, that isn't an easy thing to do. On a side note, I am very interested to read In Darkness Bound. As you mentioned, I'm sure it's not a lot of "happy" reading, but I am interested to see where some of the characters are coming from. The porridge scene was priceless. I do feel for Eärwen in this chapter. As a mother, I'm sure it's been hard for her to realise that the son she has now is so different from the one who left. Ammë's know their children better than just about anyone, but that really isn't the case for her anymore. Eärwen herself fascinates me, both as Olwë's daughter and as a mother to Finrod. She has to be a force to be reckoned with in her own right. Again, we see Glorfindel's loyalty coming up. Despite the fact that Turgon is Arafinwë's nephew, that doesn't seem to be enough for Glorfindel. I'm guessing that Elrond, as a later and descendant of Turgon, will prove a different case. That or Glorfindel will change, which is entirely possible ;) Regardless, I thought the livery question was interesting. It seems like Glorfindel doesn't even want to have the appearance of serving anyone else. Which brings me to another question, will Sador have to take an oath to Finrod? Oaths are tricky at best so it will be interesting to see where it all goes. Finrod being able to articulate the reason behind his own death is significant. He's accepted Eru's and the Valar's forgiveness on a deeper level and seems to have also been able to forgive himself. I'm not so sure if Glorfindel is at that place yet. As a father, Arafinwë probably can't help but experience profound grief over what has happened to his children, even though it was in the end good. As a parent, his first reaction would be to protect in any way he could. Hopefully he is able to come to terms with what has happened, or at least the knowledge of it. I really enjoyed this chapter. It gave me much to think on too ;) Author Reply: Hi Hawkeye. "In Darkness Bound" isn't light reading, by any stretch of the imagination, although I sprinkle it with light moments and humor because that's how life is even with all its tragedies, but certainly it's an important read to understand where many of my characters that you meet here and elsewhere are coming from. I'm glad you liked the porridge scene. It was fun and Eärwen is a fascinating character, one whom I have not written much about unfortunately, though perhaps someday I will. Any oaths Sador gives Finrod or even Arafinwë would be what you might call garden-variety oaths, oaths given between vassal and liege where the vassal promises to be loyal, very much like the oath Pippin gives to Denethor. It would be the same oath that Finrod would give to his father as his king and we see this in the Findaráto Diaries. Some oaths are not as dangerous as others. Glorfindel is still early in his re-embodiment, so there are some aspects of his death that he hasn't dealt with yet, whereas Finrod has had a good century to come to terms with his and we see it here. Thanks for taking the time to leave a review. It's much appreciated. | |
| Kaylee | Reviewed Chapter: 18 on 7/27/2008 |
| Amarie has indeed improved, and the continuation of the porridge scene was just too funny. *grin* The "you are the atar of my dearest friend, and therefore you are my atar as well, for mine is lost to me" part made me cry, meldonya. I am glad Glorfi has such a wonderful new atar to look after him. Eru only knows he needs the guidance, lol! Although if Glorfi still sees Amarie as a problem even after her reform...what's going to happen next? ~Kaylee!! Author Reply: Of course, at the time I first wrote this I had no idea what had happened to Glorfi's parents. I thought the backstory for that needed to be written as well. Now we know something of why Glorfi *never* mentions his real parents. I'm not even sure he actually remembers them yet. When that memory surfaces, he will need all the love and support his new family can offer him. | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 18 on 2/12/2008 |
| Aye, a gift indeed, and a blessing when passed successfully. As for those who refuse to accept that gift--they remain within the Halls until the Remaking.... Did you ever watch Northern Exposure? One of the most profound episodes dealt with former scientists who'd formed a circus and become clowns, troubled because they'd found that quarks define quantification, and that in the end energy and imagination are indiscernible. So, they'd turned from science to the absurd. I loved that episode! Author Reply: I watched Northern Exposure all the time, though admittedly this particular episode does not ring a bell, but that show did have some profound moments to it. | |
| Tari | Reviewed Chapter: 18 on 2/6/2008 |
| I had to pause in my reading to post a comment. I am so consumed by this story that I am neglecting the one I’m supposed to be writing. It does my heart good to see the male species freely crying. That is such a release for the soul. It’s hard to picture grown elves as children again, but wouldn’t it be nice if we could clean our slates like that? Everything is so real, that I feel as though I am there with them. I don’t know if it was intentional, but I see a lot of Christianity in your story and I love it. Well, on to the next glorious chapter. (I’m glad Amarie is coming around. Hope it’s for real.) Tari Author Reply: You've apparently been so consumed by the story you've forgotten to post a review every few chapters like you said you would. I was really surprised to see this comment at chapter 18 when the last comment was chapter 3 or 4. LOL Anyway, since elves are not humans and don't follow the same human conventions about what constitutes proper behavior, they are less inhibited in their emotions (amongst themselves; no elf worth his salt would allow himself to emote this way before the Secondborn). And the Christian aspects (and more specifically, the Catholic Christian aspects) are indeed intentional, seeing as how I am just that and know of no other way to write. *grin* I think we'll see that Amarië has indeed come around for real. I look forward to reading your next review, whichever chapter that may be. | |
| Alquawende | Reviewed Chapter: 18 on 1/20/2008 |
| Just rereading this story until book II comes out. >>Glorfindel felt himself slipping further into the Path of Dreams, but before sleep took him completely he returned again to the problem, as he saw it, that was Amarië. He didn’t trust her and he feared for Finrod. He should do something about it, he decided, yawning... This just popped up in my mind when I finished this chapter. What would Glorfindel have to not trust about Amarie? It's obvious she likes Finrod so she wouldn't hurt him and she has improved in how she behaves with Sador and he, Glorfindel. Author Reply: That's just it... she was very unpleasant towards both Glorfindel and Sador from the very beginning and then all of a sudden she's not. The complete turnaround in her personality probably sent up red flags in Glorfindel who, at this point in time, thinks that his 'mission' is to protect Finrod. His converstaion with Irmo and Námo in the next chapter will disabuse him of this notion. | |
| Edlyn | Reviewed Chapter: 18 on 4/6/2007 |
| Good morning (Dayton-time, anyway) mellon-nin. It is very quiet in the office today as most folk are off on Easter holiday trips and I got my real work done so I was able to review this chapter. I was happy to see that Amarië's gift to Finrod was much appreciated and I can just see everyone in the dining room sitting there with their mouths hanging open in utter shock watching their prince wolf down his porridge (By the way, his favourite way of having it is the same as mine). "Why don't we go to the kitchens and find out?" I couldn't help laughing at the tone of this line. Obviously, Amarië has told her internal critic to shut up for once. Eärwen's comment also made me laugh and my fellow secretary shot me a puzzled look before going back to her book. I remember coming home on leave for the first time after being stationed in England and putting malt vinegar on the fried fish we had for dinner that first night. My mother was utterly astonished because I had hated the stuff as a teenager and she said in the same tone of bewilderment as Eärwen: "But you don't LIKE vinegar on fish!" I just shrugged and took seconds. *LOL* Amarië is much more approachable and nicer to be around since her healing. I'm proud of her for being honest in her answer to the question regarding the certainty of her marriage to Finrod. It's quite obvious that she wants it to happen but is now willing to wait and hope and give Finrod (and herself) the time needed to redevelop their relationship. Hmmm. Glorfindel's refusal to swear fealty to Arafinwë has me in several minds. I can see his point regarding his previous oath to Turgon. Turgon still exists and will one day be Reborn (or at least I assume he will be Reborn--I can't help being hopeful that he will leave his judgment truly believing he is forgiven and able to forgive himself--yes, I'm an optimist). However, another part of me is saying "Good Grief, Glorfindel, go ahead and swear fealty to Arafinwë already!" Then yet a third part of me is recognising that Glorfindel is going to be more useful to the Valar if he isn't Arafinwë's liege-elf as a sworn oath that will limit his freedom to move about and to make sudden decisions that might not necessarily be what Arafinwinë might want him to do. That could definitely interfere with the Valar's plans. It would also be better that Arafinwë not be put in the position of officially chastizing his liege-elf for being absent without leave. Of couse, even without being sworn to Arafinwë, Glorfindel would still probably end up facing a rather disgruntled Atar after such an act but it wouldn't have to be court business and all that entails. I certainly can see the discussion of the "problem" of the Reborn becoming heated. It speaks well of Finrod, Glorfindel and Arafinwë that it didn't turn acrimonious. And I don't think I ever want to know what Finrod's original term for the Once-born is Second chances are SUCH a blessing. It's too bad that the Amanildi have such a warped and confused idea of what an Eldar's death means. They can't see the simple truth that Finrod stated so eloquently. "If the Valar and Eru have forgiven us, have welcomed us back into their graces, how can our people do any less? Indeed, how can they dare not to?" Two very good questions, mellon-nin, and as applicable to us humans as they are to the Eldar. It is a bleak world to live in, indeed, where one is refused forgiveness. I've had arguments with some people who call themselves Christian but who refuse to forgive others freely, instead demanding that the person who wronged them prctically crawl on their belly through hot coals before they will even consider forgiving them (and then it's usually conditional!). I find myself pointing out that if we want unconditional forgiveness for ourselves then we must give unconditional forgiveness ("...forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us..."). However, forgiveness doesn't mean that the event that wounded someone is to be forgotten. Bringing this back to something to do with your story, if forgiveness requires forgetfulness, then the Reborn would never regain thier memories of thier former life once they were re-embodied. Eru requires that the Reborn accept responsibilities for their actions, and if the Reborn have no memory of what they did in their first life then it would be impossible for them to take that responsibility. It's rather difficult to avoid the same mistakes ("Your sins are forgiven now go and sin no more...") if you don't know what to avoid. Now the Amanildi, who seem to be taking the rebellion against the Valar and Eru as a personal attack upon themselves, need to look at the maxim: "Forgive and forget." Not that the Rebellion should be completely erased from their minds, but they shouldn't pick and worry at it like a scab on a wound or a sore tooth and act as if the long ago hurt was inflicted only two minutes ago. And they definitely oughtn't to blame the children born in Endorë after the Rebellion for their parents' and grandparents' sins. Oh, dear, Glorfindel, you need to listen to yourself. You're looking at Amarië in the same way the Once-born look upon you! Practice what you preach, you foolish elf! Besides, there's nothing worse than meddling in your best friend's love life. I have a bad feeling that Glorfindel is going to be caught up short in regards to his intent to do something about it. Another excellent chapter, mellon-nin. Hugs! May you live blessed, Edlyn Author Reply: Forgiveness is one of the main themes of this story, or seemed to have become as the story progressed. I, too, know too many so-called Christians for whom the word forgivenss apparently is applied only to themselves but not to others. And, of course, forgiving and forgetting are not synonomous. I think the Amanedli are practicing the "sins of the fathers unto the seventh generation" form of expiation, but obviously, neither Eru nor the Valar are doing so and the Amaneldi need to realize that in their relationship to the Reborn as well as to the Exiled Noldor who have returned to Aman. | |
| hanci | Reviewed Chapter: 18 on 12/27/2006 |
| Oh, I can just see that scene with porridge, awesome. Tol Eressëa has to become really crowded in time, with all the returning elves... I wonder, will the Valar allow them to Aman or perhaps expand the isle somehow? - I know it's not a concern of here and now in your story, I just always wondered and thought you might have some ideas on this. Maybe after all elves return... I'm sure they'll find some really good way to change the general opinion on the Reborn. Can't wait to see what you have planned. :o) What does Glorfindel intend to do with Amarië? I hope nothing drastic... Author Reply: According to the Middle-earth Atlas, Tol Eressëa is 150 by 100 miles in dimensions (I forget which direction is which). I once took a map of my home state (New York), found the center of the state (more or less) and measured out 150 miles in one direction and 100 miles in another and found that there were an amazing number of small towns and medium-sized cities within that radius, and yet there were long stretches of open land and even wilderness as well. So I don't think they will be running out of room on Tol Eressëa too soon, especially since elves don't seem to have a high birth-rate anyway. I liked the porridge scene too. | |